OF THE COCOANUT DURING GERMINATION 351 
softest, is the germ imbedded in the endosperm. The fertile carpel 
may be recognized from the fact that it has the greatest degree of 
divergence between the longitudinal fusion lines of the carpels. 
The true integuments of the ovule are reduced to a thin brown 
coat closely adhering to the abundant endosperm. 
The embryo is a cylindrical body about 8 mm. in length lying 
below one of the natural openings of the endocarp and in a line 
perpendicular to the exterior surface of the endosperm. When 
germination begins the embryo elongates and, having pushed 
through its thin coverings, begins to enlarge at both ends. 
From the outer end arises the plumule and the roots; the inner 
end is an extension of the true cotyledon and is developed into a 
Special absorbing organ. See f/. 79. 
The absorbing organ is of a soft spongy texture and all 
through it are the ramifications of vascular strands which converge 
to the narrow “neck, ’’ which connects the absorbing tissue with 
the stem. The cotyledon, and by this term, hereafter, we shall 
mean the part of that structure specialized for absorption, can 
attack only the part of the endosperm to which it is contiguous. 
In the earlier stages of growth this absorption is confined to the 
Part nearest the young shoot, which we may hereafter refer to as 
the proximal end of the nut, Finally, however, the cotyledon 
fills the entire cavity of the nut and somewhat thins the endosperm 
distally, also. 
The milk may persist in the nut until the cotyledon has almost 
filled the cavity. After germination has proceeded for some time 
the milk becomes insipid to the taste, and contains fragments of 
cellulose and large drops of floating fat. In nuts in which germi- 
Nation has continued for a year the cotyledon has entirely filled 
the cavity, but usually there is still left a third to a half of the endo- 
Sperm undigested. This residual portion in normal cases is little 
affected, except that it is softened superficially, and to the taste 
Suggests nothing different from the meat of the ordinary ungermi- 
Nated nui. 
In its natural development the roots of the plant soon take 
firm hold of the soil and, long before the endosperm is com- 
pletely absorbed, junction between the shoot and the absorbing 
_°rgan is broken, the husk decays and the plant enters an inde- 
